Life and Style on Two Wheels

welcome, my little peugeot mixte

November 16, 2010

So here’s the story on my recent Peugeot acquisition. This bike was rebuilt by a guy from my local bike shop – he received the frame (the one original part left on the bike) as a package deal with the matching ‘his’ version of this bike. He was cleaning out his bike inventory and listed this beauty for sale, and I just couldn’t resist. I’ve always had a thing for mixtes…

This bike is in great running order having come from someone who loves bikes and knew what he was doing when working on one. He explained to me that this is a 70s Peugeot (he didn’t know the exact year), that it used to be a 10-speed, which he converted to a 3-speed with a Sturmey-Archer hub, and that it’s Italian threaded in the front and French threaded in the back. (I’m not quite clear on what that means yet….)

The bike came with fenders, new wheels and tires, a new crank, a very comfortable seat (although not a Brooks, I’m still loving it), front and rear lights, and all-weather brakes (amazing! the stopping power! I’m a convert!).

The two things missing: a basket for my bags and a chain guard. The seller (henceforth referred to as my new bike shop BFF) recognized me from having brought in Fiona recently for new wheels. We talked about bikes, vintage 3-speeds, bike commuting, and the upcoming winter cycling season. We bonded and, before long, he hooked me up with a little black chain guard and I added the little black front basket. Black + Yellow = “Bee”!

Since getting the Peugeot, I’ve stopped in many more times at the local bike shop and I want to write more about that soon. Nothing beats having a great bike shop to turn to, where you trust the people and where you can easily get all the advice, answers, parts, and service that you need. Thanks, bike shop on Main Street! You rock! S.